''[[United States]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[United States Land and Property|U.S. Land and Property]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp;[[Virginia|Virginia&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Virginia_Land_and_Property|Land and Property]]''

''[[United States]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[United States Land and Property|U.S. Land and Property]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp;[[Virginia|Virginia&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Virginia_Land_and_Property|Land and Property]]''

Virginia has been a state-land state in which property has been distributed by the colony or state rather than the federal government. Various methods of distributing land have been used.

Virginia has been a state-land state in which property has been distributed by the colony or state rather than the federal government. Various methods of distributing land have been used.

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The Virginia Company of London, incorporated in 1606, granted land patents to settlers until 1623. These early patents have been lost or destroyed; however, much information on the persons (and their descendants) who received these patents is found in the John F. Dorman's&nbsp;source listed in the “[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Virginia_Genealogy Genealogy]” section (also see the “[[Virginia Public Records|Public Records]]” section).

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The Virginia Company of London, incorporated in 1606, granted land patents to settlers until 1623. These early patents have been lost or destroyed; however, much information on the persons (and their descendants) who received these patents is found in the John F. Dorman's&nbsp;source listed in the [[Virginia Genealogy|Virginia Genealogy]] and [[Virginia Public Records|Virginia Public Records]] sections.

In 1623 the Virginia Land Company was dissolved, and the crown then distributed land through the office of the secretary of the colony. Land grants from this office were given in two ways—to those who brought persons to Virginia (headright grants) or to persons who paid money into the treasury (purchases).

In 1623 the Virginia Land Company was dissolved, and the crown then distributed land through the office of the secretary of the colony. Land grants from this office were given in two ways—to those who brought persons to Virginia (headright grants) or to persons who paid money into the treasury (purchases).

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Headright grants were issued from about 1618 to 1732. A person was given a patent for a certain number of acres (usually 50 per person) for himself, his wife, servants, slaves, or any other passengers for whom he provided passage. This system was abused by some people who went to different counties and claimed the same persons for headright grants. The grants are listed in Nugent's volumes mentioned below.

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Headright grants were issued from about 1618 to 1732. A person was given a patent for a certain number of acres (usually 50 per person) for himself, his wife, servants, slaves, or any other passengers for whom he provided passage. This system was abused by some people who went to different counties and claimed the same persons for headright grants. The grants are listed in {{FHL|76227|item|disp=Nugent's}} volumes.

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After the Virginia Company was dissolved, settlers could purchase patents (grants) through a clerk of the county until 1921. (See Nugent's volumes.)

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After the Virginia Company was dissolved, settlers could purchase patents (grants) through a clerk of the county until 1921. (See {{FHL|76227|item|disp=Nugent}}.) {{Anchor|grant}}

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{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="12" border="1"

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| bgcolor="#ffff66" | <center>'''Accessing land patents, grants, and surveys on the [[Library of Virginia]] website'''</center><br><br>''Land patents (pre-1779), land grants (after 1779), and Northern Neck grants (1692-1862) and surveys are available online. ''

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<br>'''Headrights'''

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Transported individuals were not indexed by the Library of Virginia in their database. In order to find your immigrant listed in these records, search for the name of the person who claimed land for their importation.

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1. Identify the name of the person who received a headright grant by checking published abstracts: [[Virginia_Land_and_Property#Abstracts|Nugent]].

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2. Search for the name of the person who received the land in the [http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/8QAKSVPB7GDIIC2HBGTPS3TF425PR5KS5AH7KDA2EU5R52DMDI-69437?func=file&file_name=find-m-lva01 online search engine]. (Tip: Highlight "Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants" before you search).<br>

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3. When you find the correct record, the unindexed headrights will be visible on the scanned image of the document.

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<br>'''Land Grant Recipients'''

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1. Search for the name of the person who received the land in the [http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/8QAKSVPB7GDIIC2HBGTPS3TF425PR5KS5AH7KDA2EU5R52DMDI-69437?func=file&file_name=find-m-lva01 online search engine]. (Tip: Highlight "Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants" before you search).

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==== Land Grant Process ====

'''Obtaining a Patent.''' A settler petitioned a clerk of the county for a patent. The clerk made out a warrant certificate that was sent to the secretary of the colony where it was recorded, and a second certificate was made authorizing a survey. The surveyor sent his survey plat to the office of the surveyor-general which was established in 1623. The survey plat was returned to the secretary of the colony, and the original or a copy was kept by the surveyor-general's office. The secretary then made out the patent from the survey plat. The patent was approved by the council and governor.

'''Obtaining a Patent.''' A settler petitioned a clerk of the county for a patent. The clerk made out a warrant certificate that was sent to the secretary of the colony where it was recorded, and a second certificate was made authorizing a survey. The surveyor sent his survey plat to the office of the surveyor-general which was established in 1623. The survey plat was returned to the secretary of the colony, and the original or a copy was kept by the surveyor-general's office. The secretary then made out the patent from the survey plat. The patent was approved by the council and governor.

Line 21:

Line 42:

The individual who received a patent could sell it to someone else. In this case, the name of the second buyer was often written on the back of the patent and was recorded by the secretary of the colony's office or, after 1623, in the county court records.

The individual who received a patent could sell it to someone else. In this case, the name of the second buyer was often written on the back of the patent and was recorded by the secretary of the colony's office or, after 1623, in the county court records.

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'''Finding the Records'''. Lists of headright grants and the names of persons brought to Virginia from 1623 to 1732 were recorded in the county court records and in the secretary of the colony's records. The Library of Virginia has these records as well as other grant records and various card indexes. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of:

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==== Records<br> ====

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'''Patents, 1623-1774''', 42 volumes; Index, Land Patents, [to] volumes 1-42. On 43 Family History Library films. {{FHL|584564|item}}, beginning with film 29318; index on film 29308. See below for 1775-1776 and 1779-1781.

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'''Finding the Records'''. Lists of headright grants and the names of persons brought to Virginia from 1623 to 1732 were recorded in the county court records and in the secretary of the colony's records. The [[Library of Virginia]] has these records as well as other grant records and various card indexes. The [[Family History Library]] has microfilm copies of:

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The [[Library of Virginia]] has digitized these records. They are searchable by the name of the patentee. See their [http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/QASISGBBXHKCBEF3B66V87QTQRMF4UCFGMTY8GD3NM3V68ML3Q-24096?func=file&file_name=find-m-lva01 website].

Many of these land grants are available on the website of the [http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/QASISGBBXHKCBEF3B66V87QTQRMF4UCFGMTY8GD3NM3V68ML3Q-24096?func=file&file_name=find-m-lva01 Library of Virginia].

'''Northern Neck Surveys, 1786-1854'''. On 9 Family History Library films beginning with film 29533, {{FHL|679210|item}}. Each volume is indexed.

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Many of these land grants are available on the website of the [http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/QASISGBBXHKCBEF3B66V87QTQRMF4UCFGMTY8GD3NM3V68ML3Q-24096?func=file&file_name=find-m-lva01 Library of Virginia].

'''Northern Neck Surveys, 1786-1854'''. On 9 Family History Library films beginning with film 29533, {{FHL|679210|item}}. Each volume is indexed.

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'''Bounty warrants, 1779-1860'''. {{FHL|414179|item|disp=FHL Film 29821 (first of 31 films), index on films 29850-51}}. The warrants are in alphabetical order. These are bounty land claim papers and may include affidavits giving service information, assignment of warrant to another person, enlistment date and place, discharge or death information, petitions from heirs, and the dates when bounty land was allowed or rejected.

'''Bounty warrants, 1779-1860'''. On 31 Family History Library films beginning with film 29821, {{FHL|414179|item}}, index on films 29850-51. The warrants are in alphabetical order. These are bounty land claim papers and may include affidavits giving service information, assignment of warrant to another person, enlistment date and place, discharge or death information, petitions from heirs, and the dates when bounty land was allowed or rejected.

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==== Abstracts ====

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*''Virginia Military Bounty Land in the Northwest Territory''. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 2010. '''Free online surname index''' and purchase details at [http://www.mountainpress.com/books/va/details/va-0717w.html Mountain Press] website. [Identifies Virginia Revolutionary War Patriots who received bounty land in the "Territory North of the River Ohio."]

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Headright grants and land patents to 1800 have been indexed and published in:

*''Virginia Military Bounty Land in the Northwest Territory''. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 2010. Free online surname index and purchase details at [http://www.mountainpress.com/books/va/details/va-0717w.html Mountain Press] website. [Identifies Virginia Revolutionary War Patriots who received bounty land in the "Territory North of the River Ohio."]

Reprints and an index of many colonial land records dating from the 1600s to 1834 that were originally published in periodicals are in:

Reprints and an index of many colonial land records dating from the 1600s to 1834 that were originally published in periodicals are in:

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*''Virginia Land Records: From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1982. {{FHL|209566|item}}, book 975.5 R2v].) See [[Virginia Genealogy]] and [[Virginia Periodicals]] for information about these periodicals.

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*''Virginia Land Records: From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1982. {{FHL|209566|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 R2v}}. See [[Virginia Genealogy]] and [[Virginia Periodicals]] for information about these periodicals.

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Also see [[Virginia Taxation]] for information about quitrent and other records that help identify early Virginia landowners.

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==== Land Taxes ====

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A history of early land companies and policies is in:

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A useful guide to Virginia landowners in the early nineteenth-century, based on tax records, is:<br>

Land transactions after the original patent was issued have been recorded in county deed books. Many independent cities in Virginia also kept their own records. You can obtain copies by contacting the appropriate clerk's office—usually the clerk of the circuit court.

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Land transactions after the original patent was issued have been recorded in county deed books. Many independent cities in Virginia also kept their own records. The original deed books are kept in courthouses. You can obtain copies by contacting the appropriate clerk's office—usually the clerk of the circuit court.

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The [[Family History Library]] has microfilm copies of most pre-1880 land records and indexes.

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The [[Family History Library]] has microfilm copies of most pre-1880 deed books and indexes.

Contents

Colonial and State Land Grants

Virginia has been a state-land state in which property has been distributed by the colony or state rather than the federal government. Various methods of distributing land have been used.

The Virginia Company of London, incorporated in 1606, granted land patents to settlers until 1623. These early patents have been lost or destroyed; however, much information on the persons (and their descendants) who received these patents is found in the John F. Dorman's source listed in the Virginia Genealogy and Virginia Public Records sections.

In 1623 the Virginia Land Company was dissolved, and the crown then distributed land through the office of the secretary of the colony. Land grants from this office were given in two ways—to those who brought persons to Virginia (headright grants) or to persons who paid money into the treasury (purchases).

Headright grants were issued from about 1618 to 1732. A person was given a patent for a certain number of acres (usually 50 per person) for himself, his wife, servants, slaves, or any other passengers for whom he provided passage. This system was abused by some people who went to different counties and claimed the same persons for headright grants. The grants are listed in Nugent's volumes.

After the Virginia Company was dissolved, settlers could purchase patents (grants) through a clerk of the county until 1921. (See Nugent.)

Land patents (pre-1779), land grants (after 1779), and Northern Neck grants (1692-1862) and surveys are available online.

Headrights

Transported individuals were not indexed by the Library of Virginia in their database. In order to find your immigrant listed in these records, search for the name of the person who claimed land for their importation.

1. Identify the name of the person who received a headright grant by checking published abstracts: Nugent.

2. Search for the name of the person who received the land in the online search engine. (Tip: Highlight "Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants" before you search).

3. When you find the correct record, the unindexed headrights will be visible on the scanned image of the document.

Land Grant Recipients

1. Search for the name of the person who received the land in the online search engine. (Tip: Highlight "Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants" before you search).

Land Grant Process

Obtaining a Patent. A settler petitioned a clerk of the county for a patent. The clerk made out a warrant certificate that was sent to the secretary of the colony where it was recorded, and a second certificate was made authorizing a survey. The surveyor sent his survey plat to the office of the surveyor-general which was established in 1623. The survey plat was returned to the secretary of the colony, and the original or a copy was kept by the surveyor-general's office. The secretary then made out the patent from the survey plat. The patent was approved by the council and governor.

After Receiving a Patent. After receiving a patent, the settler was required to build a house and plant crops. If this was not done in three years, the land reverted to the crown or the state and could be granted to someone else.

The individual who received a patent could sell it to someone else. In this case, the name of the second buyer was often written on the back of the patent and was recorded by the secretary of the colony's office or, after 1623, in the county court records.

Records

Finding the Records. Lists of headright grants and the names of persons brought to Virginia from 1623 to 1732 were recorded in the county court records and in the secretary of the colony's records. The Library of Virginia has these records as well as other grant records and various card indexes. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of:

Bounty warrants, 1779-1860. FHL Film 29821 (first of 31 films), index on films 29850-51. The warrants are in alphabetical order. These are bounty land claim papers and may include affidavits giving service information, assignment of warrant to another person, enlistment date and place, discharge or death information, petitions from heirs, and the dates when bounty land was allowed or rejected.

Virginia Military Bounty Land in the Northwest Territory. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 2010. Free online surname index and purchase details at Mountain Press website. [Identifies Virginia Revolutionary War Patriots who received bounty land in the "Territory North of the River Ohio."]

Reprints and an index of many colonial land records dating from the 1600s to 1834 that were originally published in periodicals are in:

Virginia Land Records: From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1982. FHL Book 975.5 R2v. See Virginia Genealogy and Virginia Periodicals for information about these periodicals.

Land Taxes

A useful guide to Virginia landowners in the early nineteenth-century, based on tax records, is:

Transfers of Land between Individuals

Land transactions after the original patent was issued have been recorded in county deed books. Many independent cities in Virginia also kept their own records. The original deed books are kept in courthouses. You can obtain copies by contacting the appropriate clerk's office—usually the clerk of the circuit court.